I'm a day late getting this to you because I've been sick this week, but honestly? That feels pretty fitting for what I want to talk about today.
Last week we went to my son's school for their end of the year performance. During the performance they talked about what they learned about trees and plants growing. In their classroom they had planted sunflower seeds to watch the growth process. We got to take home one of the seedlings. In my head I said this is probably going to take a long time to grow. But much to my surprise it shot up another 2-3 inches in what seemed to be overnight.
It got me thinking, you know how we think there's no momentum happening just because things aren't working the way we want them to. But growth is always happening, even when it's invisible.
When's the last time you actually stopped to notice how much you've grown?
We're so busy dealing with whatever's in front of us that we miss it completely. The person handling today's drama isn't the same person who was falling apart over last year's problems. But we don't give ourselves credit for that.
Every bit of hard work you've been putting in matters. Those scary conversations you pushed through, those boundaries you held even when it was uncomfortable, those moments you chose grace over grudges - they're all adding up to something beautiful. The harvest is coming.
Sometimes the most profound growth happens so gradually we almost miss it. But then one day, like that sunflower, you surprise yourself. You handle something with grace that would have completely wrecked you before. You bounce back quicker. You show up differently, and you think, "Wait... when did I become someone who could do that?"
Take a moment to notice how far you've come. Not just the big stuff, but the quiet ways you've changed. The small victories. The growth that happened when you weren't even paying attention.
You're not the same person you were a year ago. And that momentum? It's still building, even when you can't see it.
Speaking of growth happening in the darkness - my friend Derek Coburn just released a book called "Let's Retire Retirement," and it's a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Derek didn't rush this process. He became the student, learned, got rooted in his expertise as a financial advisor for over 25 years. And now this book? It's the fruit of all that growth - something others can feed from.
I want to celebrate Derek and what he's built by giving away 5 copies of his book. You can learn more about it at www.derekcoburn.com, and if you want one of the copies, just hit reply and tell me one way you've grown this year. I'll pick 5 people randomly by next Tuesday and send them out.
Because growth shouldn't wait. And neither should living.
Keep growing,
Joel
P.S. - What's one way you've grown this year that maybe you haven't given yourself credit for? Hit reply and share - I'd love to celebrate with you.
P.P.S. - Think someone in your life needs this reminder? Forward it along. We all need to be told we're growing, even when we can't see it ourselves.
